EP1585635B1 - Glazing comprising a luminous element - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to glazings, in particular laminated glass, in which electronic components have been inserted.

The glazing surface is increasingly important in vehicles and buildings. In addition, this surface is particularly highlighted relative to the outside of the vehicle or building, with respect to its occupants, which allows to provide completely new functions for these windows. By automotive glazing means windshields, rear windows, side windows but also opening or non-opening roofs, mirrors, or headlight protection glass.

The invention consists in inserting electronic components, as well as their connection circuit, inside a laminated glass in order to confer to it new functionalities such as sensors, lights, indicator light, ....

Among the interesting electronic components to be inserted, optoelectronic components such as in particular light-emitting diodes (LEDs), photo resistors, photodiodes and vision sensors, for example of the CCD (Charge coupled device) and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semi) type conductor) are particularly useful because directly related to the optical aspect of the glazing. However, other electronic components can also be inserted to make complete electronic circuits. Depending on the type of components and the electrical conductors used, these circuits may or may not be visible.

• affichage de témoins lumineux de signalisation destinés au chauffeur du véhicule ou aux passagers (exemple : témoin d'alarme de température du moteur dans le pare-brise, témoin de mise en fonctionnement du système de dégivrage électrique des vitres).
• affichage de témoins lumineux de signalisation destinés aux personnes à l'extérieur du véhicule (exemple : témoin de mise en fonctionnement de l'alarme du véhicule dans les vitres latérales).
• affichage lumineux sur les vitrages des véhicules (exemple : affichage lumineux clignotant sur les véhicules de secours, affichage de sécurité avec faible consommation électrique signalant la présence d'un véhicule en danger)

The insertion of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in automotive glazing allows, in particular, the following signaling functionalities:

• display of indicator lights for the driver of the vehicle or the passengers (example: engine temperature warning lamp in the windshield, start-up indicator of the electric window defrosting system).
• display of warning lights for persons outside the vehicle (example: warning lamp for activating the vehicle alarm in the side windows).
• illuminated display on the windows of vehicles (example: flashing light on emergency vehicles, safety display with low power consumption indicating the presence of a vehicle in danger)

• éclairage d'ambiance de l'intérieur du véhicule de façon particulièrement esthétique (exemple : intégration de l'éclairage d'ambiance dans le toit en verre d'un véhicule).
• feux lumineux et phare dans la surface du vitrage (exemple : intégration dans la lunette arrière du véhicule du 3^ème feu « stop »).

The insertion of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in automotive glazing allows, in particular, the following lighting features:

• ambient lighting of the vehicle interior in a particularly aesthetic manner (example: integration of the ambient lighting in the glass roof of a vehicle).
• lights and headlight in the glazing surface (example: integration into the rear window of the vehicle of the 3 ^rd "stop" light).

• émetteur infrarouge pour communication (exemple : télécommande de porte de garage, émetteur pour télépéage) ;
• éclairage de type infrarouge de la route (exemple : source lumineuse dans le pare-brise pour capteur d'aide à la conduite de nuit) ;
• détecteur de pluie ou de brouillard (exemple : capteur de pluie et/ou de brouillard inséré dans le vitrage du véhicule et destiné au contrôle automatique des essuies glaces et des phares anti-brouillard).

The insertion of infrared light emitting diodes (LEDs) in automotive glazing also allows for communication and lighting features, including:

• infrared transmitter for communication (example: garage door remote control, electronic toll transmitter);
• infrared-type lighting of the road (example: light source in the windshield for night-time driving sensor);
• rain or fog detector (example: rain and / or fog sensor inserted in the vehicle glazing and intended for the automatic control of windscreen wipers and fog lamps).

• mesure de la luminosité ambiante (exemple : capteur de lumière pour allumage automatique des phares ou pour ajustement de la luminosité de l'éclairage interne du véhicule) ;
• détecteur pour communication infrarouge (exemple : récepteur pour télépéage routier) ;
• capteurs de température.

In addition, the insertion of photo-diodes and photoresistors in the automotive glazings allows, in particular, the following detection functionalities:

• measuring the ambient light (example: light sensor for automatic lighting of the headlights or for adjusting the brightness of the internal lighting of the vehicle);
• detector for infrared communication (example: receiver for electronic road toll);
• temperature sensors.

• aide à la conduite (exemple : caméra CCD ou CMOS intégrée dans la vitre arrière du véhicule),
• aide à la conduite de nuit (exemple : caméra infrarouge dans le pare brise avec éclairage infrarouge associé).

The insertion of CCD or CMOS-type vision sensors in the visible or the infrared in automotive glazing allows detection and driver assistance features, including:

• driving assistance (example: CCD or CMOS camera integrated into the rear window of the vehicle),
• night driving assistance (example: infrared camera in the windscreen with associated infrared lighting).

In general, the invention relates to all types of electronic circuits inserted in laminated glasses, in particular the circuits for shaping and amplifying the signals coming from the electromagnetic antennas integrated in these same panes, as well as the control circuits of the lights and sensors above detailed.

A laminated glazing usually comprises two sheets of clear or colored glass between which are inserted one or more PVB (polyvinyl butyral) type thermoplastic sheets. PVB sheets available on the market usually have a thickness of 0.38 mm or a thickness of a multiple of 0.38 mm. The higher the desired resistance of the laminate, the greater the total thickness of the PVB-type sheet (s).

It has been discovered that it is possible to insert any type of electronic components between two sheets of glass, despite their significant thickness. There are for example LEDs whose thickness is 0.6 or 0.8 mm. In this case, the use of 2 or 3 sheets of PVB allows the insertion of this type of electronic component between two sheets of glass. It has been discovered that the high pressure heat treatment required to produce laminated glazing does not interfere with the proper functioning of the electronic components or their electrical connections.

The subject of the present invention is a laminated glazing unit comprising at least two glass sheets and one or more thermoplastic interleaves, of PVB type, in which electronic components as well as their connection circuit are inserted between the two sheets of glass, the circuit of connection being made of at least one conductive layer.

Depending on the desired applications, it will be possible to use sheets of clear, colored, matt, sandblasted, screen-printed glass or any other type of suitable glass sheet.

In particular, the electronic components may be optoelectronic components, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Advantageously, the electronic components inserted in the glazing according to the invention have a thickness of less than or equal to 3 mm and in particular a thickness of between 0.1 and 1.2 mm.

According to a preferred embodiment, the electrical connections between the components and the electricity source are made by means of conductive layers which may be transparent or not, and are deposited either on the inner surface of one or both glass sheets. either on the PVB film sandwiched between the two sheets of glass.

Typical conductive layers are for example doped oxide-based layers whose thickness is generally between 0.02 and 1 μ, preferably between 0.02 and 0.5 μ , more preferably between 0.2 and 0.4 μ and whose surface area can vary between 5 and 80 Ω / square, preferably between 10 and 80 Ω / square, more preferably between 12 and 20 Ω / square. Such layers include, for example, indium or aluminum doped zinc oxide, fluorine doped tin oxide, or tin doped indium oxide (generally known as abbreviation ITO).

Other typical conductive layers are silver-based layers. These conductive layers may be composed of one, two or even three layers of silver (or any other conductive material), separated by layers of dielectric. For layers comprising a total thickness of conductive material between 10 and 30 nm, the surface resistance can reach very low values of between 2 and 3 Ω / square.

However, any other layer even more weakly conductive could be suitable for making the electrical connections between the electronic components. The voltage to be applied will however have to be increased if the resistance of the layer is greater.

According to this embodiment, the conductive layer deposited on the glass is advantageously divided into two distinct zones, constituting two conductive tracks, each of the two zones being connected to an electrode. The electronic components can then be arranged in parallel, one of their terminal being in connection with the first zone and the other terminal of each component being in connection with the second zone of the conductive layer.

The conductive layer can also be divided into many areas, each zone connecting an electronic component to the next, the components can thus connected in series. Mixed, serial and parallel arrangements may also be provided.

It is thus possible to make conductive tracks supplying the LEDs by depositing a conductive layer with anti-solar and / or thermally insulating properties over the majority of the glazing and then eliminating or modifying the conductive layer. on thin strips, for example by laser. To deposit the conductive layer, one or the other of the known techniques can be used, for example vacuum cathode sputtering or pyrolytic vapor deposition.

It is also conceivable to achieve, in a single step, the deposition of the conductive layer and conductive tracks by the use of appropriate masks, possibly made by screen printing.

The thin strips without a layer have a width of between 0.01 and 3 mm, preferably between 0.05 and 1.5 mm, and even more preferably between 0.1 and 0.8 mm. In this way, almost invisible electrical connections can be obtained even if the conductive layer has a slight coloration.

LEDs generally consist of a semiconductor chip, electrical connection elements and an envelope whose functions are multiple (protection of oxidation and moisture, heat dissipation, mechanical support).

This envelope may have dimensions small enough to be inserted in a laminated glazing. Given the low light output provided by the current LEDs, it would be necessary to have a large number to obtain a satisfactory automotive interior lighting, and make a large number of electrical connections, which would make the manufacturing process expensive.

It is possible to have LEDs whose luminous flux is greater but, in this case, the light intensity of each LED is very important, which then generates problems of overheating and / or glare.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, several chips are arranged in a common envelope whose dimensions are such that its width and / or length are at least 10 times greater than its thickness, preferably 20 times greater, and more preferably 40 times larger.

This envelope is preferably made of a transparent material or aesthetically compatible with the glazing used. It is also preferably made of a sufficiently flexible material to allow it to match the curvatures of the glazing. It may advantageously comprise a diffusing surface that smooths the light emitted by the various chips.

In particular, the envelope comprises from 5 to 100 chips, preferably from 10 to 50 chips, and more preferably from 15 to 40 chips.

This envelope makes it possible to produce illumination providing from 10 to 500 lumens, preferably from 20 to 250 lumens and more preferably from 30 to 100 lumens, in an economical manner, that is to say without having to proceed with the gluing of a large number of LEDs and without having to make a large number of electrical connections.

Preferably, the envelope has a length and / or a width of between 5 and 100 mm, preferably between 10 and 75 mm and more preferably between 20 and 50 mm.

The thickness of the envelope is preferably less than or equal to 3 mm, preferably less than 2 mm, less than 1.2 mm, less than 1 mm and even more preferably between 0.1 and 0.7 mm.

Such an envelope makes it possible to make only 2 electrical contacts glass / envelope if the brightness provided by the set of chips reaches about 50 lumens.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the glazing comprises a capacitive type switch, actuating the power supply of the light element. This switch consists of a zone of the conductive layer, isolated from the rest of the conductive layer, and functioning as the probe of a capacitive circuit.

This allows for an almost invisible switch, which works by simply touching the finger on the insulated area and can be arranged near the light element without breaking the aesthetics of the glazing.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the glazing is a laminated glazing which comprises two sheets of glass contiguous with one or more thermoplastic interleaves (generally polyvinyl butyral type (PVB)), the LEDs and their connecting circuit being inserted between the two sheets of glass.

In this embodiment, the layers may be deposited either on the inner surface of one or the other glass sheet, or on the PVB film interposed between the two glass sheets.

LEDs and in particular their envelope or "package" will have to withstand the temperature and pressure conditions of the autoclaving step necessary for the manufacture of laminates (of the order of 10 to 15 bar and 80 to 150 ° C for 1 to 4 hours).

When it is inserted into a laminate, the envelope need not necessarily meet the moisture and oxidation protection requirements that are generally required for conventional LED envelopes and for use on a single lens.

The skilled person can provide any type of arrangement of the electrical connections to connect the LEDs or chips inside the envelope, either in series, in parallel or provide a mixed arrangement that has the advantage of providing a homogeneous brightness.

• les fig. 1 à 4 représentent, en coupe, un vitrage feuilleté comportant un élément lumineux réalisé avec une ou plusieurs LED traditionnelles ;
• les fig. 5 et 6 représentent un vitrage feuilleté comportant un élément lumineux réalisé avec des LED particulières;
• La fig. 7 représente une vue d'ensemble d'un pare-brise comportant, dans sa partie supérieure, un élément lumineux ainsi qu'une zone pour l'allumage et l'extinction de l'élément lumineux.

The present invention is illustrated by the specific embodiments below, these examples not being limiting, and reference being made to FIGS. in which,

• the Fig. 1 to 4 represent, in section, a laminated glazing comprising a light element made with one or more traditional LEDs;
• the Fig. 5 and 6 represent a laminated glazing unit comprising a luminous element made with particular LEDs;
• The Fig. 7 represents an overview of a windshield comprising, in its upper part, a light element and a zone for switching on and off the light element.

The present invention is illustrated by the specific embodiments below, these examples not being limiting, and reference being made to FIGS. in which,

Example 1

• une feuille de verre vert de 3.6 mm d'épaisseur comportant une couche conductrice à base d'oxyde d'étain dopé au fluor, de 300 nm d'épaisseur et d'environ 15 Ω/□, la couche conductrice ayant été éliminée sur une fine bande de manière à délimiter deux zones conductrices distinctes;
• 2 feuilles de PVB clair totalisant une épaisseur de 0.76 mm;
• un nombre suffisant de LED pour obtenir l'effet lumineux recherché, collées sur ladite zone sans couche conductrice, les extrémités anode de chaque diode étant en contact avec une des deux zones de la couche conductrice et les côtés cathode de chaque diode étant en contact avec l'autre zone de la couche conductrice ; chacune des deux zones étant elles-mêmes connectées à une électrode ;
• 1 feuille de PVB clair d'une épaisseur de 0.38 mm,
• une feuille de verre clair de 2.1 mm d'épaisseur.

The following items have been stacked:

• a 3.6 mm thick green glass sheet having a fluorine doped tin oxide conductive layer of 300 nm thickness and about 15 Ω / □, the conductive layer having been removed on a thin strip so as to delimit two distinct conductive zones;
• 2 sheets of clear PVB totaling a thickness of 0.76 mm;
• a sufficient number of LEDs to obtain the desired light effect, glued to said zone without a conductive layer, the anode ends of each diode being in contact with one of the two zones of the conductive layer and the cathode sides of each diode being in contact with the other area of the conductive layer; each of the two zones being themselves connected to an electrode;
• 1 sheet of clear PVB with a thickness of 0.38 mm,
• a clear glass sheet 2.1 mm thick.

The whole is autoclaved during a 120 min cycle which comprises at least 35 min at high temperature and pressure (125 ° C and 8 bar).

In this embodiment, the LEDs are arranged in parallel. This embodiment has the advantage of providing a totally invisible connection circuit even by using two sheets of clear glass.

Example 2

The Fig. 1 represents a laminated glazing made as follows. A conductive layer 6 (conductivity of about 2 Ω / square) was deposited on a sheet 2 of clear soda-lime glass 2.1 mm thick, intended to be the outer glass sheet of the glazing. The conductive layer 6 is laser removed on thin strips 4 about 0.15 mm wide, so as to delimit conductive tracks 6a, 6b. LEDs 8 whose outer dimensions do not exceed 0.6 mm in thickness are glued on either side of a thin strip 4 with a conductive adhesive. Typical conductive adhesives are, for example, silver adhesives.

The glass sheet 2 is then rolled, facing inwards, with a second sheet of clear soda-lime glass in the traditional manner, by interposing a double thermoplastic sheet 12 of 0.72 mm total thickness.

For the illustrated example, the glue must be chosen for its resistance to the high temperatures and pressure required to produce the laminated glazing. It must also be chosen according to its viscosity so as to prevent it from spreading in the insulating strip 4 during laminating of the laminate.

The luminous flux emitted by the LED is indicated by the arrow. It is oriented towards the inner glass sheet 10 of the glazing.

Example 3

The Fig. 2 represents a laminated glazing, similar to that of Example 1, except that the outer glass sheet is a colored glass sheet 14. This type of laminated glass is particularly suitable for making a car roof. Her The light transmission (TL) can thus be reduced to 14% and its energy transmission (TE) to 11%.

Example 4

The Fig. 3 represents a laminated glazing unit comprising an outer glass sheet 2 made of clear soda-lime glass. An opaque decorative layer 16 is deposited on a portion of the inner surface of the glass sheet 2. The conductive layer 6 is, in this case, deposited on the inner glass sheet 10, on its face turned towards the inside of the laminated glazing . Conductive tracks 6a, 6b are made, as in the previous examples, by the elimination of the layer on thin strips 4. LEDs 18, of the "reverse" type, that is to say intended to be glued by their light emitting side, are glued on both sides of the strips 4, on the inner glass sheet 10 of the glazing.

This embodiment makes it possible to make the light device invisible on the outside of the glazing since the LEDs 18 are located behind the opaque layer 16 of the glazing.

The Fig. 4 represents the same embodiment as at the Fig. 2 . The LEDs 8 are represented with a semiconductor chip 20 each encapsulated in an envelope 22. Separate conductive tracks 6a, ... 6d are necessary to connect each LED 8.

The Fig. 7 represents an overall view of a windshield 34 comprising a light element constituted, in the case illustrated schematically, of twelve LEDs 8. Conductive tracks 6a, 6b, ... 6e, delimited by strips 4 where the layer 6 has been removed, connect each of the LEDs 8 in series. In the illustrated case, 3 sets of 4 LEDs 8 are connected in parallel.

The Fig. 7 also shows a conductive zone 40 delimited by insulating strips 4. This functions as a capacitive key and enables the lighting element to be switched on and off.

Example 5

The glazing shown in Fig. 5 comprises as in Example 1: an outer glass sheet 2 coated with a conductive layer 6, a thermoplastic interlayer 12, and an inner glass sheet 10. The luminous element is made by the use of a particularly LED adapted for this purpose and which comprises a plurality of semiconductor chips 20 in a single envelope 24. This embodiment requires to achieve fewer conductive tracks, see only 2 conductive tracks 6a, 6b if the light intensity provided by the chips semiconductors 20 encapsulated in a single envelope 24 is sufficient for the desired application. This embodiment also makes it possible to produce strips 4, between the conducting tracks 6a, 6b, which are wider and avoids the risk of creep of the adhesive in the insulating strips.

Example 6

The glazing shown in Fig. 6 comprises as in Examples 1 and 4: an outer glass sheet 2 coated with a conductive layer 6, a thermoplastic interlayer 12, and an inner glass sheet 10. The light element is produced by the use of a flexible film 26, for example PET, on which are glued a set of LEDs 8 constituted by their envelope 22 each encapsulating one or possibly more semiconductor chips 20. An electrical connection 28 is provided on the film 26, between each envelope 22 and between the last envelope and the conductive layer (not shown). As in the previous example, this embodiment makes it possible to make few conductive tracks 6a, 6b and to make relatively wide strips 4, which avoids the creep of the adhesive in the strip 4. The glazing is made by adhesive bonding. once a set of LEDs 8 pre-arranged on the film 26.

According to the invention, it is therefore possible to obtain a completely homogeneous glazing which comprises within it a luminous pattern. LEDs have the advantage of consuming very little energy and dissipating virtually no heat. Thanks to their small size, when the device is off, the LEDs are practically not visible. It is therefore conceivable to have the electronic components, not only around the glazing but also on the central part or on a large part of the glass surface without hindering visibility if the connection circuit is achieved through conductive layers.

LEDs are usually monochromatic and are available in all shades. The luminous intensity of an LED generally varies between 10 and 180 mCd. By inserting a large number of LEDs, a luminous intensity equivalent to that of incandescent lighting can be obtained, while requiring a much lower consumption.

Of course, the invention is not limited to this type of embodiment or to this type of function, all other standard electronic components of the market, for example those designed for electronic cards can be inserted, according to the invention between two sheets of paper. glass, provided that their miniaturization is sufficient.

Surface Mount Device (SMD) surface mount components are particularly well suited. These components can be inserted into the glazing in their usual packaging provided for the surface mounting of the electronic cards or in a packaging specially adapted for insertion in the glazing or even without packaging, the glazing itself constituting in this case the packaging .

Claims (8)

1. Laminated glazing unit comprising two glass sheets (2, 10, 14) and one or more thermoplastic interlayers (12), LEDs (8, 18) being inserted between the two glass sheets, a connecting circuit being formed by means of a conductive layer (6) deposited on the interior surface of one of the two glass sheets, said layer (6) being divided into at least two separate zones, each of the two zones being connected to an electrode, characterized in that zones (6a, 6b... 6e) have been insulated from the rest of the layer by thin insulating strips (4), the insulating strips (4) having a width comprised between 0.01 and 3 mm, preferably between 0.05 and 1.5 mm and even more preferably between 0.1 and 0.8 mm.
2. Glazing unit according to Claim 1, characterized in that the conductive layer (6) has a thickness comprised between 0.02 and 0.5 µ and preferably comprised between 0.2 and 0.4 µ.
3. Glazing unit according to either one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the layer (6) has a resistance comprised between 2 and 80 Ω/square, preferably between 10 and 80 and even more preferably between 12 and 20 Ω/square.
4. Glazing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic components (8, 18) have a thickness smaller than or equal to 3 mm and in particular a thickness comprised between 0.1 and 1.2 mm.
5. Glazing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the LEDs comprise a plurality of semiconductor chips (2) in an envelope (24).
6. Glazing unit according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the envelope (24) has dimensions such that its length and/or a width are at least 10 times larger than its thickness, preferably 20 times larger and even more preferably 40 times larger.
7. Glazing unit according to either one of Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the envelope (24) has a length and/or a width comprised between 5 and 100 mm, preferably between 15 and 75 mm and even more preferably between 25 and 50 mm.
8. Glazing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a switch (40) actuating the power supply of the electronic component (8, 18) is made up of a zone of the conductive layer (6) that is insulated from the rest of the conductive layer by thin strips (4).

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